The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

In a flashback, Raihn schemes with a Hiaj contestant, Vincent, to win the Kejari and usurp Neculai. When Raihn tells Nessanyn just before the last trial, she refuses to leave with him. Raihn flees the chaotic aftermath alone, free at last. In the sky, his eyes meet those of the goddess Nyaxia as she is summoned to grant the Kejari winner’s wish. She gives him a cruel smile and he feels the burning of the Heir Mark appear on his back as he flies away.

Oraya wakes in a home where Alya—who introduces herself as Oraya’s biological aunt and sister to Oraya’s mother, Alana—has been healing her. Raihn informs her their forces have fallen back to a nearby city to recuperate, but Simon will likely soon follow. Alya tells Oraya more about her mother. Like Alya, Alana served Acaeja, a goddess for healers and seers, but was much more gifted. Alana gave her seer services to Vincent, who was hoping to learn how to harness the god’s blood he found, and they fell in love. When she became pregnant with Oraya, Vincent allowed her to stay with Alya in Vartana. She eventually fell in love with a man named Alcolm and moved to join his family in Salinae, where they lived for years until Vincent demolished the region and stole Oraya away.